County staff and elected officials discussed operations and upgrades at the county compost facility, including marketing and sales performance, a proposed free compost day for county residents, and potential capital purchases using a Kentucky agricultural grant.
Sales and operations: Staff said the program sold $15,870 in its first ramp-up year (2023) and about $20,023 in 2024, with lower third-quarter sales in 2026 (noted as $135 so far in the transcript). Officials discussed timing a free giveaway on a low-sales date to avoid undercutting paid seasonal demand.
Power and equipment proposals: Staff recommended installing three-phase electrical service to the compost site to allow converting the diesel trommel and future motors to electric. Clark Energy provided a price estimate noted in the meeting of $12,998.55 for pole work and service installation; staff said grant funds and county maintenance funds are available to cover the work but that utilities often require upfront payment. The court was asked to authorize the work and to check with the county attorney on payment terms.
Vehicle and heavy-equipment requests: Presenters described an "auto-crane" or grapple truck useful for lifting animals, large debris and heavy logs, and for safer handling of material at the compost site. New vehicles of this class were described at roughly $200,000 new; staff said grant rules could cover up to about $105,000 of the machine and that the county could finance the remainder with a multi-year loan. Officials also discussed seeking used-equipment bids as a lower-cost alternative.
Employee pay and retention: Staff noted difficulty hiring for compost operations at the current $16-per-hour rate and said the grant contains funds for short-term wage increases to retain certified operators. The record shows one recent resignation and concern that the operation could be disrupted if replacements are not found.
Outcome/direction: The discussion produced no recorded motion to purchase equipment during the meeting. Staff were directed to seek bids for heavy equipment, confirm three-phase service payment requirements with Clark Energy and county counsel, and pursue grant guidance for allowable equipment and wage uses.
Community note: County Farm Bureau and Cattlemen's Association were mentioned as past donors for related events; staff said compost advertising had lapsed on Facebook and should be resumed to increase sales.